Influence of Fly Ash Incorporation and Thermal Curing on the Performance of Reactive Powder Concrete
Main Article Content
Abstract
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of thermal curing and fly ash incorporation on the mechanical and physical properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) to develop a more sustainable RPC mixture with partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by fly ash. Four mixes were prepared: a reference mix (R) and mixes with fly ash replacement levels of 10%, 20%, and 30% (RF10, RF20, and RF30). Each mixture was cast and tested in three specimens for each age of testing. The specimens were thermally cured at 70°C for 5 hours per day for a total of 3 days, followed by water curing until the testing age. The experiments showed that adding 20% fly ash improved the overall performance of RPC. The RF20 mix showed the best compressive strength, with increases of 3.39%, 4.47%, and 4.86% at 7, 28, and 56 days, respectively, relative to a reference mix. Furthermore, flexural strength and splitting tensile strength increased by 2.39% and 1.69%, respectively, at 28days. The RF20 mixture had the highest dry density (2683 kg/m3), the lowest water absorption (0.114%), and the lowest porosity (1.75%). However, a 30% replacement of cement with fly ash reduced mechanical properties. Results indicated that 20% fly ash inclusion under thermal curing conditions could effectively improve RPC performance and promote sustainability by reducing cement use.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
Abellan-Garcia, J., Redondo-Mosquera, J., Khan, M.I., Abbas, Y.M. and Castro-Cabeza, A., 2023. Development of a novel 124 MPa strength green reactive powder concrete employing waste glass and locally available cement. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, 23, P. 161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-023-00695-7
Aboud, R.K., Awad, H.K., and Mohammed, S.D., 2019. Fire flame effect on the compressive strength of reactive powder concrete using different methods of cooling. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 518(2), P. 022029. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/518/2/022029
ACI 517.2R-92, 2017. Accelerated curing of concrete at atmospheric pressure, USA: ACI Committee 517. American Concrete Institute (ACI)
ACI 214R-11, 2011. Guide to evaluation of strength test results of concrete. USA: ACI Committee 214. American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Ahmad, S., Al-Amoudi, O.S., Khan, S.M. and Maslehuddin, M., 2022. Effect of silica fume inclusion on the strength, shrinkage, and durability characteristics of natural pozzolan-based cement concrete. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 17, P. e01255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01255
ASTM C138/C138M-a, 2017. Standard test method for density (unit weight), yield, and air content of concrete. ASTM International
ASTM C496/C496M, 2017. Standard test method for splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM International
ASTM C293/C293M, 2019. Standard test method for flexural strength of concrete (using simple beam with center-point loading)
ASTM C1240-20, 2020. Standard specification for silica fume used in cementitious mixtures. ASTM International
ASTM C1437-20, 2020. Standard test method for flow of hydraulic cement mortar. ASTM International
ASTM C642-21, 2021. Standard test method for density, absorption, and voids in hardened concrete ASTM International
ASTM C150/C150M-24, 2024. Standard specification for Portland cement. ASTM International
ASTM C494/C494M, 2024. Standard specification for chemical admixtures for concrete. ASTM International
ASTM C618-25a, 2025. Standard specification for coal fly ash and natural pozzolan. ASTM International
Danha, L.S., Khalil, W.I., and Al-Hassani, H.M., 2013. Mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) with various steel fiber and silica fume contents. Engineering and Technology Journal, 31(16), pp. 3090–3108.
Dong, P.S., Tuan, N.V., Thanh, L.T., Thang, N.C., Cu, V.H., and Mun, J.H., 2020. Compressive strength development of high-volume fly ash ultra-high-performance concrete under heat curing conditions with time. Applied Sciences, 10(20), P. 7107. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207107
El-Louh, O.M., 2014. Fresh and hardened properties of locally produced reactive powder concrete. Master’s thesis. Islamic University of Gaza.
Gamal, I.K., Elsayed, K.M., Makhlouf, M.H., and Alaa, M., 2019. Properties of reactive powder concrete using local materials and various curing conditions. European Journal of Engineering Research and Science, 4(6), pp. 74–80. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejeng.2019.4.6.1370
Hussain, Z.A. and Aljalawi, N.M.F., 2022. Behavior of reactive powder concrete containing recycled glass powder reinforced by steel fiber. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 31(1), pp. 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1515/jmbm-2022-0003
Huy, N.S.I., Tam, T.T., and Phuoc, H.T., 2017. Effect of fly ash content on the compressive strength development of concrete. Journal of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering (STCE)-HUCE, 2, pp. 31-36.
Huynh, T.P., Ngo, S.H., and Nguyen, V.D., 2024. A modified reactive powder concrete made with fly ash and river sand: An assessment on engineering properties and microstructure. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.23912
Kamara, S., Foday, J.R., E.H., and Wang, W., 2023. A review on the utilization and environmental concerns of coal fly ash. American Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2(2), pp. 53–65. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajcp.v2i2.1609
Khreef, S.M. and Abbas, Z.K., 2021. The effects of using magnetized water in reactive powder concrete with different curing methods. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1067(1), P. 012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1067/1/012017
Luti, A.A. and Abbas, Z.K., 2024a. The effect of different curing methods on the properties of reactive powder concrete reinforced with various fibers. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 14(3), pp. 14225–14232. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7072
Majeed, W.Z., Aboud, R.K., Naji, N.B., and Mohammed, S.D., 2023. Investigation of the impact of glass waste in reactive powder concrete on attenuation properties for Bremsstrahlung ray. East European Journal of Physics, 1, pp. 102–108. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-1-12
Muhsin, Z.F. and Fawzi, N.M., 2021. Effect of fly ash on some properties of reactive powder concrete. Journal of Engineering, 27(11), pp. 32–46. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2021.11.03
Nafees, A., Javed, M.F., Musarat, M.A., Ali, M., Aslam, F. and Vatin, N.I., 2021. FE modelling and analysis of beam-column joint using reactive powder concrete. Crystals, 11(11), P. 1372. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11111372
Nayak, D.K., Abhilash, P.P., Singh, R., Kumar, R., and Kumar, V., 2022. Fly ash for sustainable construction: A review of fly ash concrete and its beneficial use case studies. Cleaner Materials, 6, P. 100143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clema.2022.100143
Papp, V., Ardelean, I., Bulátkó, A., László, K., Csík, A., Janovics, R., and Kéri, M., 2025. Effect of metakaolin and fly ash on the early hydration and pore structure of Portland cement. Cement and Concrete Research, 196, 107928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107928
Rahul, R., Chithra, R., and Thenmozhi, R., 2023. Experimental investigation on reactive powder concrete by partial replacement of cement with different pozzolanic materials. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.54041
Richard, P. and Cheyrezy, M., 1995. Composition of reactive powder concretes. Cement and Concrete Research, 25(7), pp. 1501–1511. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(95)00144-2
Safitri, E., Wibowo, and Fadhil, B.D., 2024. Compressive strength study on reactive powder concrete with 30% quartz sand and variations in fly ash composition as partial substitution of cement. Sustainable Civil Building Management and Engineering Journal, 1(3), pp. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.47134/scbmej.v1i3.3009
Shannag, M.J., 2000. High-strength concrete containing natural pozzolan and silica fume. Cement and Concrete Composites, 22(6), pp. 399–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(00)00037-8
Shannag, M.J. and Yeginobali, A., 1995. Properties of pastes, mortars, and concretes containing natural pozzolan. Cement and Concrete Research, 25(3), pp. 647–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(95)00053-F
Soutsos, M.N., Millard, S.G. and Karaiskos, K., 2006. Mix design, mechanical properties, and impact resistance of reactive powder concrete (RPC). In: International RILEM Workshop on High Performance Fiber Reinforced
Cementitious Composites in Structural Applications. Champs-sur-Marne, France: RILEM Publications SARL, pp. 549–560.
Thomas, M.D.A., 2007. Optimizing the Use of Fly Ash in Concrete. Skokie, IL, USA: Portland Cement Association.
Xu, J., Wu, C., Xiang, H., Su, Y., Li, Z.X., Fang, Q., Hao, H., Liu, Z., Zhang, Y. and Li, J., 2016. Behaviour of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete columns subjected to blast loading. Engineering Structures, 118, pp. 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.03.048
Yazıcı, H., Yardımcı, M.Y., Aydın, S. and Karabulut, A.S., 2009. Mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete containing mineral admixtures under different curing regimes. Construction and Building Materials, 23(3), pp. 1223–1231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.08.003